Folding table leg



Jan. 26, 1937. w BOENNING 2,068,903

FOLDING TABLE LEG Filed May 9, 1936 Patented Jan. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention appertains to furniture, and more particularly to folding tables of the type embodying a top and pivoted legs movable to an operative position at right-angles to said top, and

to a collapsed position parallel with the top.

One of the primary objects of my present invention is to provide an exceptionally simple and durable lock or latch for the legs to effectively hold the legs against movement when the same are in their extended operative position.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide a lock or catch of the above character, which automatically holds the leg against movement when the leg is swung to its extended position, and which can be quickly and instantly released by the operator when the leg is to be moved back to its folded position.

A further important object of my invention is to provide a folding card table latch and brace formed from a single piece of material, pivotally connected at one end to the table top, and having means on its opposite end for automatically snapping into a retaining groove formed in the leg when the leg reaches its extended operative position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide novel means for arranging the groove in the leg, whereby the walls of the groove will effectively engage the latch to prevent movement of the leg.

A still further important object of my invention is to provide novel means on the swinging leg latch and brace, for encircling the leg to guide the latch and leg during the swinging movement thereof, and for effectively engaging automatically in the groove when the leg is in its operative position.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section through a card table constructed in accordance with my invention, showing a leg in its extended operative position, engaged and held by the novel latch and brace.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the table showing a leg being moved to its folded position, with the combined latch and brace acting as a guide.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the card table with the leg in its extended position, and shown in cross section, the section being taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter T generally indicates a card table, which, as shown, includes the side rails 5 and 6, having rigidly connected thereto the table top I. The meeting ends of the rails 5 and 6 are braced by the corner bracket 8, which also forms a support for the leg 9.

The corner bracket 8 can be of any desired or preferred construction, and in the present instance the same includes an angle-shaped plate Eil, having one part arranged in spaced, parallel relation to the rail 6, and its other part firmly secured by a suitable fastening element I! to the rail 5. The other part l2 of the bracket is connected to the rail 6, and has its central portion offset from said rail. A pivot pin or bolt [3 extends through the rail 6, the parts 12 and I0 of the bracket 8, and through the upper end of the leg 9. As shown, the upper end of the leg 9 is confined between the parts 12 and ll] of the bracket.

In accordance with my invention I provide the outer side of the leg 9 with a keeper groove I4. Particular attention is directed to the angular position of the keeper groove, and it will be noted that the same extends substantially at an acute angle to the transverse axis of the leg. The opposite ends of the groove open out through the opposite sides of the leg.

My novel latch or look is generally indicated by the reference character L, and is formed from a single length of metal possessing the desired inherent resiliency. In the present showing the lock or latch L has been formed from a length of wire of the preferred gauge, and includes an elongated body portion or brace l5, the upper end of which is coiled to provide an eye I6. A pivot pin or bolt ll extends through the eye and the rail 6, and this pivot pin I1 is arranged in spaced relation to the pivot pin or bolt l3 of the leg.

The lower or outer end of the body portion or brace I5 has formed thereon a right angularly extending loop l8, which encircles the leg 9. The loop is mounted for free sliding movement on the leg, but due to the inherent resiliency of the material from which the latch or lock is formed, one side of the loop will exert a frictional contact with the leg, whereby to effectively hold the leg against free swinging movement. Thus, when the leg is swung to its closed position, parallel with the table top, by the operator, frictional contact of the brace or latch with the leg will hold the leg against opening movement. The loop I8 is of a suflicient size to permit the same to be shifted laterally on the leg by the operator, for a purpose which will now be described.

As the leg 9 is swung to its open extended position, the loop 18 will ride along the leg until the loop reaches the keeper groove 14, at which time the loop will be automatically moved by the resiliency of the latch into the groove. This will effectively hold the leg against further movement, and the leg will be held against accidental collapsing movement. Due to the angular position of the groove, the latch exerts a frictional contact with the walls thereof, which tends to create a bind to prevent swinging of the leg. When the leg is to be swung to its collapsed position, the operator places his thumb or finger on the side of the loop opposite to that portion which seats within the groove, and lateral pressure is exerted on the loop so as to move it from out of the groove, at which time the leg can be gradually swung to its collapsed position.

Obviously, the loop can be of any desired configuration, and is preferably shaped to conform to the cross sectional configuration of the leg. Thus, in the present showing, I have shown the loop to be of an open, rectangular shape.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided an exceptionally simple and durable form of card table latch and brace, which will effectively hold the swinging leg in its extended position against accidental swinging movement.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of my invention, but what I claim as new is:

1. In a folding table, the combination, a table top including side rails, a bracket connected to said rails, and a table leg pivotally connected to the bracket, of a latching device for the leg including a brace formed from a single length of resilient material, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the brace to one of the rails in spaced relation to the pivot point of the leg, a loop formed on the outer end of the brace loosely fitted about the leg and slidably mounted thereon, a portion of said loop being normally urged into frictional contact with one side of the leg by the inherent resiliency of said brace, and means on said leg for automatically receiving said portion of the loop when the leg is swung to its extreme, open, extended position to hold the leg against further accidental swinging movement.

2. In a folding table, the combination, a table top including side rails, a bracket connected to said rails, and a table leg pivotally connected to the bracket, of a latching device for the leg in cluding a brace formed from a single length of resilient material, means pivotally connecting the inner end of the brace to one of the rails in spaced relation to the pivot point of the leg, a loop formed on the outer end of the brace encircling said leg and slidably mounted thereon, a portion of said loop being normally urged into frictional contact with one side of the leg by the inherent resiliency of said brace, and means on said leg for automatically receiving said portion of the loop when the leg is swung to its extreme, open, extended position, said means embodying a groove formed in the leg and extending at an acute angle to the transverse axis of the leg.

WILLIAM M. BOENNING. 

